It was on Rosh HaShana before the blowing of the shofar and the holy Ba’al Shem Tov was made aware of a terrible judgment on high. No matter what the holy Tzaddik tried, still, the Ba’al Shem Tov was unable to cancel the decree or sweeten the harsh judgment. All his efforts were in vain; the prosecution’s case was too strong and the decree remained.
While the Ba’al Shem was closed in his room battling the verdict, the Ba’al Shem Tov’s holy brethren of Chassidim, known as the Chevraya Kadisha, waited outside, wondering as to the delay for blowing the shofar. They could sense that something was wrong and felt some kind of fear in the air.
One of the assembled congregants was a little off. His lack of sense and judgment caused him to wonder at the somber, tense air surrounding the Chassidim. He decided to act and to do something to dispel the air of fear. He went and dressed up in an animal costume and began to prance about. His silly antics caused great mirth and soon the Chassidim were laughing at his jokes and the air of fear was replaced with laughter and joy. No sooner had this happened when the Tzaddik’s door opened and the holy Ba’al Shem Tov entered for tekios, and he motioned to begin blowing the shofar.
Later, the Ba’al Shem Tov explained that it was possible to cancel the decree only through simcha. However, his own fear and the air of suspense and foreboding of the Chassidim together prevented the Ba’al Shem Tov from the needed simcha. Finally that act of silliness and mirth did what he had been unable to do and it caused them all to forget the fear and suspense; the simcha canceled the decree and sweetened the judgment. “This,” explained the Tzaddik, “is the meaning of the pasuk in Koheles 2:2: “For what kind of simcha is this?” The words ma zo, which usually translate as “what kind” and “what is this”, can also mean insignificant or trivial. Even a simcha which is trivial or insignificant, with no true inner depth can make an impression on high.” (Nesivos Sholom I Maamar 15:5 p. 288)
